Magnetically coupled valve

ABSTRACT

Valve assemblies are described that provide magnetic coupling between a valve actuator and a valve body housing the valve rotor and stator. A valve assembly embodiment, includes, but is not limited to, a valve body, the valve body including at least one magnet, and a rotor and a stator configured to define a plurality of fluid flow passageways; a valve actuator configured to drive the rotor via a drive shaft; and an actuator mount coupled to the valve actuator and configured to magnetically couple with the at least one magnet of the valve body to magnetically couple the valve body and the valve actuator.

BACKGROUND

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry is an analysis techniquecommonly used for the determination of trace element concentrations andisotope ratios in liquid samples. ICP spectrometry employselectromagnetically generated partially ionized argon plasma whichreaches a temperature of approximately 7,000K. When a sample isintroduced to the plasma, the high temperature causes sample atoms tobecome ionized or emit light. Since each chemical element produces acharacteristic mass or emission spectrum, measuring the spectra of theemitted mass or light allows the determination of the elementalcomposition of the original sample.

Sample introduction systems may be employed to introduce the liquidsamples into the ICP spectrometry instrumentation (e.g., an InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP/ICP-MS), an Inductively CoupledPlasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), or the like) foranalysis. For example, a sample introduction system may withdraw analiquot of a liquid sample from a container and thereafter transport thealiquot, via one or more fluid pathways controlled by valveconfigurations, to a nebulizer that converts the aliquot into apolydisperse aerosol suitable for ionization in plasma by the ICPspectrometry instrumentation. The aerosol is then sorted in a spraychamber to remove the larger aerosol particles. Upon leaving the spraychamber, the aerosol is introduced into the plasma by a plasma torchassembly of the ICP-MS or ICP-AES instruments for analysis.

SUMMARY

Valve assemblies are described that provide magnetic coupling between avalve actuator and a valve body housing the valve rotor and stator. Avalve assembly embodiment, includes, but is not limited to, a valvebody, the valve body including at least one magnet, and a rotor and astator configured to define a plurality of fluid flow passageways; avalve actuator configured to drive the rotor via a drive shaft; and anactuator mount coupled to the valve actuator and configured tomagnetically couple with the at least one magnet of the valve body tomagnetically couple the valve body and the valve actuator.

In an aspect, a valve assembly embodiment, includes, but is not limitedto, a valve body configured to detachably couple to a valve actuator viamagnetic interactions, the valve body including a rotor and a statorconfigured to define a plurality of fluid flow passageways through thevalve assembly, a drive shaft extending through a shaft aperture formedin the valve body, the drive shaft configured to couple between therotor and the valve actuator to drive the rotor, at least one magnethoused within an interior region defined by the valve body, the at leastone magnet configured to magnetically couple with the valve actuator,and at least one of a protrusion configured to insert into an apertureon the valve actuator or an aperture configured to receive a protrusionon the valve actuator to prevent rotation of the valve body relative tothe valve actuator when magnetically coupled.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances inthe description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a valve assembly having magnetic couplingbetween a valve actuator and a valve body in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the valve assembly of FIG. 1showing a rear side of the valve body having slotted apertures toreceive stability protrusions from an actuator mount on the valveactuator in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of a valve body having an annularregion to house a magnet and having a valve body cover to seal themagnet within the valve body for magnetically coupling the valve body toa valve actuator in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG. 3 having themagnet within the valve body to couple to an actuator mount and having adrive shaft within the valve body to turn a valve rotor under control bya valve actuator in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a valve body having a tapered body structure inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the rear of a valve body having slottedapertures positioned adjacent a valve body skirt to receive stabilityprotrusions from an actuator mount in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an isometric view of the valve body of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the rear of a valve body having slottedapertures positioned radially inward from a cavity configured to holdone or more magnets, the slotted apertures positioned to receivestability protrusions from an actuator mount in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the valve body of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an isometric view of an actuator mount having stabilityprotrusions to interface with the slotted apertures of the valve body ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the rear of a valve body having slottedapertures positioned on an outer edge of the valve body, the slottedapertures positioned to receive stability protrusions from an actuatormount in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B is an isometric view of the valve body of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is an isometric view of an actuator mount having stabilityprotrusions to interface with the slotted apertures of the valve body ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a valve assembly having a housing to supportone or more fluid sensors and having magnetic coupling between a valveactuator and a valve body in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of a rear of the valve assembly of FIG. 9Awith the valve body having an annular region to house a magnet andhaving a valve body cover to seal the magnet within the valve body formagnetically coupling the valve body to a valve actuator mount havingstability protrusions to interface with the slotted apertures of thevalve body in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Multiport valves are used to transport and prepare fluid samples foranalysis by laboratory equipment. For example, multiport valves can beused to introduce liquid samples into ICP spectrometry instrumentationfor analysis through fluid connections via tubing coupled with ports ofthe valves. Multiport valves can also be used to load samples on columnsfor liquid and/or gas chromatography. Valves used in these applicationscan include six-port (6-port), two-position (2-position) rotary valves,although valves having fewer or greater numbers of ports and/or havingmore than two positions also can be used. Generally, two ports of arotary valve are connected to an external (sample) loop or fluid holdingline, one port is connected to a sample source, another port isconnected to a carrier source, a further port is connected to a vent(waste), and another port is connected to a nebulizer/column. When thevalve is in a first orientation, sample from the sample source flowsinto and through a sample loop, while carrier from the carrier sourceflows directly to a nebulizer/column. When the valve is rotated to asecond orientation, the carrier source is connected to the sample loopfor injecting the sample contained in the sample loop into the nebulizeror onto the column. In some multiport valve configurations, one fluid ismixed with another fluid by injecting the two fluids into separate portsor channels of a multiport valve. In these configurations, the twofluids meet to introduce the fluid flowing from one flow path to fluidflowing from another flow path to mix the fluid streams.

To facilitate the switching of valve orientations, valve assemblies caninclude a valve actuator having a motor or drive to rotate a valve rotorrelative to a valve stator within the valve body. The rotor includeschannels that selectably couple ports formed by the stator, whererotation of the rotor causes the channels to move between portsdependent on operation of the valve actuator. Since each of the valveactuator and the valve body house moving parts, such as the motor andthe rotor, valve assemblies can include valve collars that hold thevalve body stationary relative to the actuator. For example, the valvecollar can include fasteners or fittings, such as bolts, that physicallybias the collar against structures present on the valve body and theactuator (e.g., via friction fit), which can prevent rotation of thevalve body with respect to the actuator when the actuator rotates therotor within the valve body.

Such valve configurations reliant on the valve collar can providedrawbacks for many laboratory operations. For example, the fasteners orfittings on the valve collar can become loosened during usage of thevalve, which can reduce the force the collar applies against the valvebody and the actuator. As the valve collar loosens, portions of thevalve body can rotate and cause the valve to no longer be calibrated orotherwise provide a risk for faulty valve operation or positioning.Further, the fasteners or fittings can loosen based on environmental orvalve system temperature fluctuations, such as by loosening in responseto frequent changes between hot and cold temperatures in the laboratoryenvironment or based on the temperature of fluids flowing through thevalve. As another example, the valve collars can add bulk to the valveby extending the valve body out from the actuator, requiring morephysical space around laboratory equipment for installing andmaintaining the valve assembly. As another example, the valve collarscan require additional tools and hardware for installation, which cancomplicate the installation process or introduce risks for improperalignment of the valve body during installation.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed, at least in part, tovalve assemblies that provide magnetic coupling between a valve actuatorand a valve body housing the valve rotor and stator. The valveassemblies house one or more magnets within the valve body tomagnetically couple with an actuator mount secured to the valve actuatorwithout use of a valve collar. The valve body and the actuator mountinclude one or more mating features to prevent rotation of the valvebody relative to the valve actuator. In an aspect, the valve bodyincludes one or more slotted apertures to receive stability protrusionsfrom the actuator mount secured to the valve actuator to provideresistance to rotational movement of the valve body relative to thevalve actuator. In an aspect, the one or more magnets within the valvebody are displaced radially outward from an axis of rotation of a driveshaft coupled between the valve rotor and a motor of the valve actuator.The one or more magnets provide a magnetic coupling through the valvebody to the actuator via the actuator mount. In an aspect, the magneticcoupling between the valve body and the valve actuator providessufficient force to stably couple the valve body and the valve actuatorwithout use of a valve collar, providing a more compact size for thevalve assembly without risk of a loosened coupling between the valvebody and the valve actuator (e.g., due to loosened fasteners,temperature fluctuations, etc.). Moreover, the valve body can be removedwithout hardware or tools to loosen valve collar couplings, providingconvenient methods to replumb fluid lines introduced to the stator orswap in a different valve body (e.g., having different fluidconnections, different fluid flow requirements, etc.).

EXAMPLE IMPLEMENTATIONS

FIGS. 1-9B illustrate aspects of a valve assembly providing magneticcoupling between a valve body and portions of a valve actuatorconfigured to drive operation of the valve body (“valve 100”). The valve100 generally includes a valve body 102, a valve actuator 104, and anactuator mount 106 coupled between the valve body 102 and the valveactuator 104. The valve body 102 houses a rotor and a stator to formfluid flow pathways through which fluids can pass into the valve via oneor more ports and are directed out from the valve through other portsbased on the valve configuration formed by channels in the rotor andports of the stator. The fluid flow pathways are configured to passfluids that include, but are not limited to, liquids, gases, vapors,fluids containing dissolved solids, fluids carrying entrained liquids,solids, or gases, and combinations thereof. For example, FIG. 1 showsnine ports on a valve face 108 to couple with nine fluid lines, howeverthe valve 100 is not limited to nine ports and can include greater thannine ports or fewer than nine ports. Moreover, the valve 100 is notlimited to ports having removably coupled fluid lines and can includefluid lines permanently coupled to one or more stator ports. The valveactuator 104 generally includes a motor or drive to rotate the valverotor relative to the valve stator within the valve body 102 when thevalve body 102 is coupled to the valve actuator 104 via magneticcoupling between the valve body 102 and the actuator mount 106,described further herein. The rotor includes channels that selectablycouple ports formed by the stator, where rotation of the rotor causesthe channels to move between ports dependent on operation of the valveactuator 104. In implementations, the valve body 102 has a generallycylindrical shape (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-3 ), however the valve body102 is not limited to such shapes and can include, for example, atapered shape (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5 ), a rectangular shape, anirregular shape, or another shape.

The valve body 102 detachably couples to the valve actuator 104 viamagnetic interactions between the valve body 102 and the actuator mount106 that is secured to the valve actuator 104. For example, a user ofthe valve 100 can grasp the valve body 102 and pull away from the valveactuator 104 to overcome the force of the magnetic coupling to removethe valve body 102 and subsequently reintroduce the same or differentvalve body 102 to the valve actuator 104 by placing the valve body 102in proximity to the actuator mount 106.

In implementations, the actuator mount 106 defines an aperture 200through which a drive shaft 202 rotatably coupled to the valve body 102(e.g., via one or more internal bearings) passes to couple with a motoror drive of the valve actuator 104. The actuator mount 106 is fixedlycoupled to an end 204 of the valve actuator 104 to receive the driveshaft of the valve body 102 through the aperture 200. For example, theactuator mount 106 is shown with a plurality of fastener apertures 206to receive fasteners for securing the actuator mount 106 to end 204 ofthe valve actuator 104. In implementations, the actuator mount 106 isconstructed from a magnetically attractive material such that theactuator mount 106 is attracted by a magnet or includes a magneticmaterial attracted to one or more magnets of the valve body 102.

The valve body 102 can support one or more magnets in an interior of thevalve body 102, on an exterior of the valve body 102, or combinationsthereof, to provide magnetic coupling with the actuator mount 106. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the valve body 102 is shown havingan annular region 300 to house a ring-shaped magnet 302 within aninterior of the valve body 102. The ring-shaped magnet 302 surrounds ashaft aperture 304 formed by the valve body 102 through which the driveshaft 202 can pass to couple between a valve rotor 306 and the valveactuator 104. For example, the magnet 302 (or a plurality of magnets302) can be positioned radially outward from an axis of rotation 308 ofthe drive shaft 202. The valve body 102 is also shown with a valve bodycover 310 configured to couple to an end 312 of the valve body 102 thatis configured to face the actuator mount 106 to couple the magnet 302within the valve body 102.

In implementations, the valve body cover 310 is ultrasonically welded inplace on the valve body 102 to seal the magnet 302 within the annularregion 300 of the valve body 102. Interior positioning of the magnet 302can separate the magnet 302 from an external environment of the valve100, which can prevent exposure of metallic components of the magnet 302to nearby sample containers (e.g., sample vials awaiting testing), whichcan prevent interaction between fragments of the magnet 302 and thesamples held in the sample containers to avoid potential contaminationrisks (e.g., when the valve 100 is used in corrosive sampleenvironments). While the magnet 302 is shown having a ring-shapedconfiguration, the valve 100 is not limited to such magnetconfigurations and can include other magnet configurations including,but not limited to, one or more rectangular magnets, one or more squaremagnets, one or more irregularly shaped magnets, a pattern of individualmagnets, a singular magnet, or the like, or combinations thereof.

In implementations, the valve body 102 and the actuator mount 106include one or more mating features to prevent rotation of the valvebody 102 relative to the valve actuator 104. For example, referring toFIGS. 2 and 3 , the valve body 102 is shown with slotted apertures 208positioned to receive stability protrusions 210 extending from theactuator mount 106. The stability protrusions are introduced into theslotted apertures 208 during magnetic coupling of the valve body 102 tothe actuator mount 106 and provide resistance to rotational movement ofthe valve body 102 relative to the valve actuator 104 due to interactionbetween the stability protrusions 210 and the valve body 102 wheninserted into the slotted apertures 208. The slotted apertures 208 canbe provided through each of the valve body cover 310 and the end 312 ofthe valve body 102 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3 ), can be provided throughjust the valve body cover 310, or can have a combination of one or moreapertures through each of the valve body cover 310 and the end 312 ofthe valve body 102 and one or more apertures through just the valve bodycover 310.

While the valve 100 is shown with a plurality of slotted apertures 208and a plurality of corresponding stability protrusions 210, the valve100 is not limited to a particular number or arrangement of matingfeatures. For example, the valve 100 can include a single aperture 208and a single corresponding stability protrusion 210, the valve 100 caninclude fewer than four apertures 208 and corresponding stabilityprotrusions 210, the valve 100 can include greater than four apertures208 and corresponding stability protrusions 210, or the like.Additionally, the valve 100 is not limited to the slotted shapes of theapertures 208 and the protrusions 210 and can include any shape ofaperture 208 and corresponding shape of protrusion 210. Inimplementations, the positioning of the aperture(s) 208 and theprotrusion(s) 210 provide a keyed arrangement of the valve body 102relative to the valve actuator 104, such that the valve body 102 isoriented in a particular direction relative to the valve actuator 104,which can ensure proper orientation of the valve 100 for fluid flowconfigurations and changing valve orientations via rotation of the rotor306 by the valve actuator 104. Alternatively or additionally, themagnets 302 and the actuator mount 106 can provide a keyed arrangementof the valve body 102 relative to the valve actuator 104, such as byproviding selective areas of the actuator mount 106 with a magneticallyattractive materials, and with the remaining areas of the actuator mount106 being not magnetically attractive, by providing magnets withopposing poles on each of the valve body 102 and the actuator mount 106to magnetically couple in a particular orientation, or the like.

The positioning of the apertures 208 on the valve body 102 and theprotrusions 210 on the actuator mount 106 can be varied to providemultiple coupling arrangements and to accommodate different sizes of thevalve body 102 and the actuator mount 106 (e.g., such as when theactuator mount 106 can interface with multiple different types or sizesof valve body 102). For example, the apertures 208 can be positionedradially outward from the annular region 300 and radially inward from anexterior edge 314 of the valve body 102, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ,with the actuator mount 106 having corresponding positions for theprotrusions 210. Alternatively or additionally, the apertures 208 can bepositioned radially inward from the annular region 300 of the valve body102, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, with the actuator mount 106 havingcorresponding positions for the protrusions 210 (e.g., adjacent aninterior edge 700 that forms the aperture 200, as shown in FIG. 7C).Alternatively or additionally, the apertures 208 can be positionedradially outward from the annular region 300 at the exterior edge 314 ofthe valve body 102, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, with the actuator mount106 having corresponding positions for the protrusions 210 (e.g., on anexterior edge 800 of the actuator mount 106, as shown in FIG. 8C). Inimplementations, the valve body 102 includes a skirt 600 extending fromthe end 312 in a direction towards the actuator mount 106 with theapertures 208 positioned radially inward from the skirt 600 (e.g., asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B).

In implementations, the valve 100 can include one or more fluid sensorsto magnetically couple the valve with the fluid sensors to the valveactuator 104. For example, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the valve 100is shown with a sensor housing 900 configured to house one or moresensors 902 within the sensor housing 900. The valve 100 can include ahousing cover 904 to seal the sensors 902 within the sensor housing 900.In implementations, the housing cover 904 is positioned adjacent theactuator mount 106 when the valve body 102 is magnetically coupled withthe valve actuator 104 via the actuator mount 106.

It should be noted that while the terms “stator” and “rotor” are usedherein to describe the portions of the valve 100 defining fluid flowpathways, these terms are provided by way of example only (e.g., toillustrate how these components interface (e.g., rotate) with respect toone another), and are not meant to limit how the valve members can beactuated with respect to an external reference (e.g., valve mountinghardware, or the like). Thus, in one particular example, a componentdescribed as a “stator” may remain substantially stationary (e.g., withrespect to an external reference, such as valve mounting hardware), anda component described as a “rotor” may rotate with respect to thestator. However, in another particular example, a component described asa “stator” may rotate with respect to a rotor, and a component describedas a “rotor” may remain substantially stationary (e.g., with respect tovalve mounting hardware). Further, in some implementations, both acomponent described as a “stator” and a component described as a “rotor”may rotate with respect to an external reference.

Further, while the valve 100 is described with the valve body 102 havingone or more apertures 208 and the actuator mount 106 having one or morecorresponding protrusions 210, it is noted that the apertures 208 can bepositioned on either or both of the valve body 102 and the actuatormount 106, with the corresponding protrusions 210 positioned on theother of the valve body 102 and the actuator mount. For example, in someimplementations, one or more apertures 208 can be formed by the actuatormount 106 with one or more protrusions 210 extending from the valve body102.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or process operations, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve assembly comprising: a valve body, thevalve body including at least one magnet, and a rotor and a statorconfigured to define a plurality of fluid flow passageways; a valveactuator configured to drive the rotor via a drive shaft; and anactuator mount coupled to the valve actuator and configured tomagnetically couple with the at least one magnet of the valve body tomagnetically couple the valve body and the valve actuator.
 2. The valveassembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body and the actuator mount eachinclude one or more corresponding mating features to prevent rotation ofthe valve body relative to the valve actuator when the valve body ismagnetically coupled with the actuator mount.
 3. The valve assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the corresponding mating features include an apertureand a protrusion configured to insert at least partially into theaperture.
 4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve bodydefines an interior region to house the at least one magnet within thevalve body.
 5. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least onemagnet is housed entirely within the valve body.
 6. The valve assemblyof claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a tapered exterior surface.7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body defines anannular region to house the at least one magnet within the valve body.8. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the drive shaft is coupled tothe rotor and configured to pass through the annular region in the valvebody to couple with the valve actuator.
 9. The valve assembly of claim8, wherein the actuator mount defines an aperture through which thedrive shaft passes to couple with the valve actuator.
 10. The valveassembly of claim 8, wherein the valve body includes at least one of aprotrusion configured to insert into an aperture on the actuator mountor an aperture configured to receive a protrusion on the actuator mount.11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one of theprotrusion or the aperture is positioned radially inward from theannular region in the valve body with respect to an axis of rotation ofthe drive shaft.
 12. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the atleast one of the protrusion or the aperture is positioned radiallyoutward from the annular region in the valve body with respect to anaxis of rotation of the drive shaft.
 13. The valve assembly of claim 10,wherein the at least one of the protrusion or the aperture is positionedbetween the annular region and an exterior edge of the valve body.
 14. Avalve assembly, comprising: a valve body configured to detachably coupleto a valve actuator via magnetic interaction, the valve body including arotor and a stator configured to define a plurality of fluid flowpassageways through the valve assembly, a drive shaft extending througha shaft aperture formed in the valve body, the drive shaft configured tocouple between the rotor and the valve actuator to drive the rotor, atleast one magnet housed within an interior region defined by the valvebody, the at least one magnet configured to magnetically couple with thevalve actuator, and at least one of a protrusion configured to insertinto an aperture on the valve actuator or an aperture configured toreceive a protrusion on the valve actuator to prevent rotation of thevalve body relative to the valve actuator when magnetically coupled. 15.The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one magnet ishoused entirely within the valve body.
 16. The valve assembly of claim14, wherein the valve body includes a tapered exterior surface.
 17. Thevalve assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one magnet isring-shaped, and wherein the interior region is an annular region withinthe valve body.
 18. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the at leastone of the protrusion or the aperture is positioned radially inward fromthe interior region in the valve body with respect to an axis ofrotation of the drive shaft.
 19. The valve assembly of claim 14, whereinthe at least one of the protrusion or the aperture is positionedradially outward from the interior region in the valve body with respectto an axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
 20. The valve assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the at least one of the protrusion or the aperture ispositioned between the interior region and an exterior edge of the valvebody.